For their accomplishments both in the classroom and in the athletic arena, Peabody High senior track star Evan Bedard and Danvers High sophomore gymnastics sensation Kaylee Westcott have been chosen as the Moynihan Lumber Student-Athletes of the Month for February.
The 17-year-old Bedard, who has a 3.74 grade point average and is ranked 43rd in his senior class, had an outstanding indoor track and field season for the Tanners this winter. He was chosen as the Northeastern Conference’s MVP in the sport and set a new school record in the long jump, winning the Meet of Champions with a leap of 23 feet 1 3/4 inches. That jump was the best in the Bay State this year.
“All fall, I put in a lot of work to get ready for the winter season,” said the 5-foot-8 Bedard. “(All-American shot putter and teammate) Alex Jackson and I had followed a workout plan that the coaches set up where we were lifting every day and getting stronger and stronger. All that hard work definitely paid off. I started getting the numbers that I and the coaches expected… and I never looked back.”
Bedard, who had taken second place in the long jump at the Division 2 championships prior to the Meet of Champions, went on to take third place in that event at the New England Championships. Also at the Meet of Champions, he was part of Peabody’s 4×200 relay team that broke another school record.
“Being able to represent Peabody and have the success that I’ve had means the world to me,” said the two-year Tanner captain. “I truly love my team; we all hold each other accountable and we love working hard… I mean, I really love it. We have the best work ethic in the NEC… in my mind, in the whole state.”
That same dedication to his craft and working hard can be applied to Bedard’s schoolwork. Long ago, learning what it means to balance his time between studying and sports, he makes sure to get his homework and projects done as early as he can, stays after school to get extra help when needed, and knows where his priorities lie.
“My schoolwork comes first, always,” he said. “It becomes a habit. ‘I have to do this work first before I can go jump or work out.’ Planning ahead is key. Honestly, it’s a blessing; keeping a schedule like that really works best for me as far as sticking to it.”
Bedard said he’s eager to see what he can do in outdoor track this spring.
“I wasn’t on anyone’s radar to win the state title, but I did and think I can do it again outdoors, too,” said Bedard, who will also participate in the triple jump. “If I can qualify for New Balance Nationals again, too, that’d be great.”
